Dronfield Vets XV 12 vs Sheffield Tigers 3rd XV 40
The Vets XV turned out on Saturday and due to a fixtures 'Cock Up' by Sheffield Tigers ended playing their 3rd XV. Dronfield Vets in their first ever game together against much younger opposition certainly gave the Tigers a lesson in Rucking/mauling and scrummaging....and the tackling on occassions was heroic.
In the first half Tigers were shocked when they realised they were not going to have things there own way and time after time the Vets turned over ball in rucks & mauls with Keith Elsey & Mike Catling outstanding....the other members of the pack John Singleton (oldest Vet on the day 60 yrs), John kilmartin, Dave Poole, Neil Thompson, Charlie Truelove, Eddy E, ably supported and put pressure on Tigers Scrum. It was only from open play that Tigers looked dangerous and two good tries by their winger from inside of his own half opened up the Dronfield defence - Dronfield responded with a try by Keith Elsey & a conversion by Paul Steade.
In the second half Simon Proctor came on at hooker and with a backline of Paul Steade (old knackered knees himself), Ryley Wing, Addy Finlay, Nigel Slater, Mick Guth, Bob Farrell, and John Kilmartin taking over on the wing from Mike Shallcross (60 years) they gave as good as they got and the tackling was superb. Mick Guth looked dangerous on the occassions he got the ball and was as fast as any of the young Tigers lads and the forwards time and again tested the Tigers pack.
Unfortunately Age and fitness was on Tigers side and they ran in more tries with good support and Dronfield eventually running out of tacklers...though another try by Keith Elsey in the last 10 minutes gave the score a respectability that reflected a good hard game of rugby and a great team performance from the Vets which I think everybody enjoyed.
